SpaceX was slated to receive a total of $856 million, one of the largest chunks of the $9 billion that was auctioned off. That’s a far different approach than traditional high-speed internet, which relies on underground fiber optic cables. Essentially, granting the company subsidies was a bet that SpaceX’s Starlink service will work just as the company promises and be affordable for rural Americans. The Federal Communications Commission estimates that 21 million Americans — about 1 in 15 people — still lack access to high-speed internet. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment, nor does it typically respond to press inquiries.

Source: CNN August 10, 2022 22:08 UTC